Drexel University’s BS in Music Industry is a four-year, full-time undergraduate program that prepares students for in-demand careers in the ever-changing entertainment business. The Music Industry curriculum combines rigorous coursework in music, technology, and business with a professional co-op experience and involvement in campus enterprise. Enhance your education with some of the brightest minds in the music industry. Start your application today.

Music Industry Concentrations

Recording Arts & Music Production (RAMP)

The Recording Arts & Music Production (RAMP) concentration focuses on the techniques and technologies of music and audio production found in record, television, and advertising industries. Students in the RAMP concentration take foundational courses in music, such as Music Theory and Ear Training, and the music industry, including courses in finance and economics, copyrights, sound recording, and music marketing and promotion.

After completing music industry core coursework, RAMP students study digital audio workstations, music recording and production, arranging and composition, audio post-production, mixing and mastering, and a have a variety of elective courses including Analog Recording, EDM, Synthesis & Sampling, Video Game Music and Sound, Commercial Music Production, and much more.

Music Industry Business (MIBU)

The Music Business concentration focuses on the business and related legal aspects of the current state of the music industry. A core requirement of Music Industry Business students is participation in MAD Dragon Music Group, which includes MAD Dragon Records—a student-staffed record label, MAD Dragon Media, MAD Dragon Publishing, MAD Dragon Artist Management, DraKo Booking Agency, and MADKo Concert Promotion. Taken for three terms, Mad Dragon Music Group fully immerses students in the independent music business under the direction of renowned faculty.

After completing the music and music industry core curriculum—which includes the coursework for a minor in Business Administration—students concentrating in Music Industry Business study marketing, artist management, booking, touring, E-commerce, recording industry operations, music publishing, international recording business, and legal aspects of the music industry. Music Business electives include Radio Management, Media Promotion, Music Merchandising, Music Venues and Concerts, Touring and Booking, Cities of Music and Culture, and Music Supervision.

Music Industry Program Course Requirements

Drexel Westphal’s undergraduate Music Industry major is a 187-credit program. Students fulfill general education requirements in English Composition, the arts and humanities, and the natural and social sciences while also taking major-specific courses in their first year of study.

Within an experiential learning environment, students in both concentrations gain a well-rounded foundation in the landscape of the music industry, taking courses in:

• Music Theory
• Copyrights in the Music Industry
• Digital Audio Workstations
• Music Production
• Marketing and Promo in the Music Industry

Music Industry majors also take required business and economics courses, such as:

• Accounting for Professionals
• Business Law
• Introduction to Finance

Core business and economics courses can be applied toward a minor in Business Administration. For students in the Music Industry Business concentration, we also offer an accelerated BS/MBA program in partnership with Drexel’s LeBow College of Business. All students who apply for this option must take the GMAT entrance exam.

Experiential Learning Opportunities in the Music Industry Program

The highly competitive Music Industry program is enhanced by Drexel’s cooperative education program that provides experiential learning with industry partners. Music Industry majors spend two summers working for co-op employers such as a record label, music venue, recording studio, radio station, or booking agent.

The Drexel Music Industry program prepares students for careers in the music business, including:

• Record Label Executive
• Music Marketing Director
• Radio Station/Broadcast Industry Executive
• Music Producer
• Recording Engineer
• Press Relations and Publicity Director
• Music Publisher
• Music Supervisor for Film and TV
• Venue Owner/Manager
• Sound Editor for Film and TV
• Entertainment Attorney
• Artist Manager
• Concert Promoter
• Tour Manager
• Live Sound Engineer

Students in the undergraduate Music Industry program have numerous hands-on opportunities on campus, from participating in or organizing events such as Lawn Jawn—the program’s annual outdoor music festival—to research and production opportunities with the Drexel Audio Archives’ extensive audio collection. The Archives are home to the Sigma Sound Studios Collection, a historic collection of audiotapes from the legendary Philadelphia recording studio, including recordings by artists like David Bowie and Patti LaBelle. Bachelor of Science Music Industry students also produce high-quality EPs, music videos, and often collaborate on interdisciplinary projects with Westphal College’s other programs, such as scoring senior thesis films with Film & Television majors or video games from the Game Design & Production program.

The Music Program and MAD Dragon Records receive generous support from the Kal and Lucille Rudman Institute for Entertainment Industry Studies.

Course Schedules in the Bachelor’s of Music Industry Program

Through the Drexel Westphal Music Industry undergraduate program, students follow a challenging, rigorous course plan to build on their management, marketing, and production skills. Below is a course schedule example of a full-time first-year student.

These plans of study are linked to the Course Catalog and are for review purposes only. Several factors influence the sequencing of courses, including transfer credits, AP credits, academic year entering the program, and programmatic changes. Students should refer to their individualized DegreeWorks account and consult with their Academic Advisor to ensure they meet all degree requirements in a timely manner. Please view the Drexel Course Catalog for alternate plans of study and full Music Industry degree requirements and course descriptions.

Music Industry Elective Classes

Students can enrich their education by taking unique Music Industry electives. BS Music Industry majors are required to take a total of nine credits of Music Industry electives specific to their concentration in addition to required courses in the Music Industry program. Most Music Industry plans of study also include 24 credits of free electives. Students may use these electives to explore courses from across the University or pursue a minor.

Electives offered to Drexel Music Industry students in the Music Industry Business concentration include:

• Radio Management
• Media Promotion
• Music Merchandising
• Music Venues and Concerts
• Touring and Booking
• Cities of Music and Culture
• Music Supervision

Business Concentration students interested in learning more about music production are encouraged to take advanced electives in recording, and can take Sound Recording for Business. Learn more about customizing your Music Industry coursework by referring to the Drexel Course Catalog, or speak with an Academic Advisor.

The Music Industry Recording Arts & Music Production concentration offers the following electives:

• Electronic Music Production
• Scoring to Picture
• Synthesis and Sampling
• Commercial Music Production
• Studio Maintenance
• Video Game Music and Audio
• Analog Recording
• Music Production Master Class
• Digital Audio Workstations IV

If you are interested in learning more about the Bachelor of Science in Music Industry program and offered courses, contact Westphal’s recruitment team by calling 215.895.1738 or emailing westphaladm@drexel.edu.